Discount retailer Lathams of Potter Heigham, which is owned by the QD Group, is celebrating its 60th year of trading on the Norfolk Broads.
Lathams is a Norfolk institution, famous for its fishing tackle and supplies, as well as discounted homewares, furniture, food, clothing, DIY and pet departments. Lathams was first opened by Ken Latham in 1963 as a ‘piscatorial paradise’, a homage to his love for fishing on The Broads, and the store quickly became popular with local people and holidaymakers alike. When Ken retired in February 1989, Lathams joined the family-run Norfolk discount group QD, who has since expanded the premises and built a dedicated Lathams Fishing Tackle shop opposite the main store.
The anniversary has been marked with a series of activities including the production of a bespoke ale Brew of The Broads with Norfolk brewery Woodforde’s. A customer celebration weekend took place on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th September with a host of activities at the store, including free goody bags for the first 100 customers on each day, free vintage open top bus tours, competitions and giveaways. A charity auction was also held during the weekend, with the proceeds being donated to the nearby Museum of the Broads to be used for the restoration one of Ken Latham’s boats, Esox Lucius II (Latin for Northern Pike) which he used for pike fishing on the River Thurne.
Nick Rubins, CEO of the QD Group, said: “Lathams has been a linchpin in Potter Heigham for 60 years and we are delighted to have played our part in keeping this Norfolk institution running successfully during this time. The store is very dear to us and, even today, we have strong connections to its founder – Ann Sharman, our head of supply chain at QD, is actually the daughter of Norman Sharman who sold Ken the land on which Lathams is built. Ken even gave Ann’s mum a lift to hospital when she was in labour with her!
“We remain very proud of the store that Ken built and the investment we have made since taking over. This anniversary is an opportunity to look back fondly at the past 60 years but also to look ahead positively to the next 60!”
Lathams of Potter Heigham is located at Bridge Road, Potter Heigham NR29 5JE.
